People surround a man who was injured during pro-Russian protests near a Ukrainian military base in Mariupol April 16, 2014. Ukraine's interior minister said on Thursday that three pro-Russian separatists were killed in shooting that broke out overnight in the town of Mariupol on the Sea of Azov. "According to preliminary data, three attackers were killed, 13 wounded and 63 detained," Arsen Avakov said in a post on Facebook.

Three Pro-Russian Separatists Shot Dead in Ukraine Base Attack

Three pro-Russian separatists were shot dead after 300 colleagues attempted to attack a national guard base in eastern Ukraine, the country's interior minister said.

According to Avakov, the protesters hurled Molotov cocktails and opened fire on Ukrainian personnel, who fired warning shots in response. After further warnings the Ukrainian troops used deadly force, he said.

Reuters

People surround a man who was injured during pro-Russian protests near a Ukrainian military base in Mariupol on Wednesday.

The translation of Facebook post was confirmed by Reuters.

"No casualties have been reported among the Interior Ministry servicemen," Avakov said, according to Interfax Ukraine. "The preliminary information available suggests that three of the militants were killed, 13 were injured and 63 were detained. Weapons, communication equipment and mobile phones were confiscated. The identities of the detained persons are being established."

In response to the raid, the national guard conducted an overnight operation to "contain the gang," Interfax Ukraine reported.

Heavily armed and dressed in unmarked battle fatigues, the militiamen say they want to emulate Crimea and have a referendum to join Russia. They say the new Western-backed Kiev regime will not represent their views. The U.S. and Kiev governments, as well as the majority of Western analysts, say the movement is being backed by the Russian secret service.